Loughborough 16…..Glossop 18
Loughborough is always a very difficult place to go to and come away with two points, only the more senior members of the Glossop squad could recall the last time such a feat was achieved.
The game started brightly for Glossop who managed to shake the journey from their legs and quickly go on the offensive. Their first foray into Loughborough’s’ half saw Glossop come away with three points as Horbatchewski easily sent his penalty attempt through the posts. Six foot, seven inch lock Dan Clark, rose to take the restart and returned it with a marauding fifteen metre surge up field, quick ruck ball gave centre Pickerell the chance to kick behind Loughborough’s’ scattered defence, good chasing by Cassell meant the ball was recycled quickly and spread wide to Pickerell who straightened his line to ease over under the posts for his third try in two games. A routine conversion took Glossop to a 10-3 lead.
The course of the game then seemed to veer towards a resurgent Loughborough as Glossop struggled to compete in the line outs. The Leicestershire side heaped on the pressure and Glossop began to give away a series of sloppy penalties. Dave Shirt was sin binned after persistent infringements on the ground, so too was the Loughborough number 6 who decided he would dish out his own justice towards Shirt. Glossop were struggling to get out of their own half as Loughborough’s’ lively full back countered with speed and strength. Loughborough won a line out on Glossop’s five metre line and drove the rolling maul until it lost momentum under excellent pressure from the Glossop pack. They then turned to their backline to conjure something, which they duly did, as the fly-half chased his own dinked kick to touch down. To add to Glossop’s woe’s Wilkinson body checked Loughborough’s number 10 after he had kicked the ball and joined Shirt in the sin bin. There was, however, just enough time left in the first half for Glossop to regain the lead after Horbatchewski kicked a further penalty, leaving the score at 10-13.
At the break Glossop were disappointed that their early dominance had slipped so poorly, but knew the game was theirs for the taking if they wanted it enough.
The second half was very fragmented and a long stoppage, including an air ambulance, made it difficult to produce any continuity, both sides stuttered, but it was the home team who had the majority of the play. They were spreading the ball wide and using their nippy wingers to great effect; it was only for solid defence from Round and substitute Jordan that they were held at bay. With Glossop hanging on, two penalties were conceded and calmly despatched by Loughborough’s outstanding full back, for the second time in as many weeks Glossop feared a defeat was on the cards.
With Loughborough leading 16-13, Richard Trinick turned the ball over and after quick consultation with the referee Glossop realised this was the last play, with fifty seconds left on the clock, lively captain Kit Brammer took a quick tap penalty. The odds were stacked against Glossop as they attacked from inside their own half, Clark and then Thompson carried purposefully into Loughborough territory, a series of fast phases saw Brammer break, he slipped the ball out to Wilkinson who drilled a further pass out to Cassell who gained yards and handed over to Harrison on the wing. Harrison silenced his touchline critics by deftly chipping over the onrushing defence, and it was left to Sean Cassell to outrun and out muscle his opposite number to pounce on the ball over the try line. A get out of jail card played to perfection, but what can’t be denied is that the last play epitomised the way Glossop try to play rugby when their backs are against the wall. Even veteran Howard raised a smile whilst nursing his broken nose, testament to yet another brave performance from the prop forward. The first XV entertain Ilkeston next weekend with the thirds resuming league duties at home to Eccles, both 3PM kick-offs.
The 2nd XV were unlucky to come away with a defeat in their local derby with rivals Aldwinians. Captain Andy Wilson is looking for his men to react positively next week as they take on Northwich away from home.